Crown cap



June 15, 1948.

C. A. BEESON CROWN CAP Filed on, 9, 1946 mvsumns A BEESON,

PatentedJJune 1551948 UNITED STATES 1 OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and particularly to removable crown caps for same.

The conventional cap for a bottle or can held on by a crimped-edge arrangement has the disadvantage of requiring a special tool of some nature for its removal. so as to get at the contents.

Where such tool is not available, and the contents have to be removed, the general tendency of the user is to mutilate the container, or in the case of a bottle, to break off it neck. This causes a loss of the contents, and endangers the user or those in the vicinity. In addition, there is the expense involved in having to have such a tool manufactured for this specific purpose.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved crown cap for a container that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved crown cap for a container that may be readily removed by a common coin or similar small object usually available in the pocket of a prospective user, or nearby.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved crown cap for a container, that may be removed in an effective manner and expeditiously. Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully explained.

For a better understanding of the invention amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) bead l6 therearound, and the inwardly extended convolutions of the skirt il engage under this bead with a clamp efiect as is common in prior crown caps. A deepened groove I3 extending diametrically along the middle portion of the cap for a distance of about one-half its total width, is adapted to receive a small coin edgewise. The coin may be defined as a flat bluntedged tool, and it will be appreciated that other flat thin objectsmay serve similarly. The slot is formed with parallel planiform sides spaced sufficiently to receive the edge of the coin 20 snugly therebetween, and one side 2| is of less height than the other, The high side forms a high right-angular shoulder 22 at its junction with the high half 23 of the top wall of the cap between the shoulder 22 and the rim 12. This top part 23 is substantially planiform and noris inclined downwardly from the rim l2 to the and its objects, reference is made to the appended drawings and the description following, wherein a particular form of the invention is detailed by way of example, and the scope thereof is particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 shows in perspective a crown cap sheet metal crown cap [0 with a down-turned scalloped edge or skirt l I and rounded peripheral rim [2 is shown assembled to a bottle i8. The bottle mouth is formed with the usual peripheral low side of the slot. The bottom of the slot is sharply angular, and the tops of the walls of the slot form sharp, substantially right-angular junctions with the respective top wall portions 23 and 24 of the cap. The operation of the coin in the proper direction, starting from an erect or perpendicular position induces the cap to rise easily for one-half of its area and snap off ove the rim of the bottle. This occurs in the following manner: The coin being set with its edge in the slot and firmly pressed edgewise thereinto,

its upper free edge portion is pushed in the direction of the high side of the slot, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. The coin thus functions as a lever of the'second order, the low side of the slot serving as a fulcrum, and work being largely done at the high shoulder 22 of the slot. In the continuation of this movement of the coin, the top of the cap becomes deformed. The half 23 of the cap between the high sideof the slot and the rim tends to be moved translatively in the direction of a diameter of the cap normal to and midway of the slot, and at the same time its portion immediately adjacent the slot is pressed downward, so that the outer part 23 of the cap, its rim, and its skirt rise and become free of the bottle. At the same time the opposite part 24 of the cap, extending from the low side of l the slot tends to be moved translatively on the same diameter as mentioned, but in an opposite direction, and to be pried upwardly adjacent the slot. The metal customarily used in crown caps is sufllciently thin to enable the deformation described, and the weakening crease It tends to permit opposite translative movement of the twohalves or the cap. The crease M marked superficially in the upper surface of the cap as a virtual continuation of the slot, enables this to be accomplished. The crease weakens the cap and aflords a line on which half of thecap can readily bend, and then permit it to be detached from the rim Ii of the bottle. A cork disc gasket 15 with a slotlike opening l1 resiliently seals the space between the cap and the rim of the bottle and makes it liquid tight. The edges of the slot are preferably squared oil as shown to provide a substantial fulcrum for the coin to lever on. The crown seal or cap in this'i'ormis conven iently removable. It does not involve material additional cost to produce it over other types. It does not require any specially made tools for detaching, and it avoids the necessity of meddling with the scalloped edge II. It also makes the cap so it cannot be replaced, which is a partlcular item where adulteration could be practlced.

the top of the cap shaped to receive and fit a I disc-like article and the like insertable th'erein, said slot having angular upper edges and being shaped to present a fulcrum edge at one side and a work edge at the'other whereby the cap may be worked by the disc-like article by leverage movement of the disc-like article so as to displace substantial parts of the cap to positions at which the skirt parts are out of bead-clamping position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the top 4 portion or the cap is impressed form acreaseextending from .the slot to the skirt, to -cause leverage motion in can parts themselves in a direction to release the skirt from a bottle mouth bead, under leverage movement said fulcrum and iative movements of opposite parts of the cap along a diameter of the cap normal tosald slot when said disc-like article is worked as a lever on said fulcrum and work edges.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which the side of'the slot at said work edge is materially hither than the other, constituting a high shoulder. whereby in lever movement of said disc-like article said work edge will be greatly depressed and the skirtportion medially of the adjacent aided the cap will be swung outwardly at its lower part and upwardly from bead-clamping position.

5. The structure of claim 1 in whichthe side of the slot at said work edge is materially hlilher than the other, constituting a high shoulder, whereby in lever movement of said disc-like article said work edge will be greatly depressed and the skirt portion medially oi the adjacent side of the cap will be swung outwardly at its lower part and upwardly from bead-clampin position.

- COLEMAN A. BEESON.

' REFERENCES crrap The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain June 20,1014

thereacross to 

